Monday, May 16, 1921

Fair, bright, cool, breezy day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. to 1 P.M. Got cap & gown. Out riding. Father traded even our Hudson for Kissel Kar sedan.

**********
So, the Hudson is no more? Too bad. I was getting used to that car.  Looks like graduation is imminent. But alas, we won't know what it was like because this is the last entry for the year 1921. Stanford simply stops writing in his diary after this date. Therefore, this diary and blog now comes to an end.

Fortunately for us, he resumes in January 1922, a very important year in the life of Stanford Closson and all those who are descended from him because that is the year he meets his wife! So please join me at the next blog, Datebook 1922, on January 1st.

At the end of the diary there are a couple of lists: one entitled "Commencement Programs," and another entitled "Announcements."  They are below.  Note that someone (probably Ann) has put an asterisk next to Hazel's name in both lists. Hazel's inclusion here is the first indication in the diaries that Stanford was even aware of her existence. It makes you wonder who he thought would be reading his diaries that he would completely refrain from mentioning her. Did she attend the graduation, do you think?

The lists read like a Who's Who of Closson friends and family. I think I recognize most of the names from having come across them in his diaries over the years (especially noteworthy are Sawyer and Benedict). There are a few, though, that I'm curious about. See if you can find out who they are. Or maybe we'll see them again, next year.  Until then, have a happy holiday!



Sunday, May 15, 1921

Beautiful, bright, mild, dry day. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast, shave, bath etc. To Church with D.S.R. To S.S. Dinner. Took nap. Took nap. [Is that 2 naps?] To Epworth League Anniversary meeting. M.M.B led. Russ, Mary Clute and I to Reynolds in our car. Lunch. Roamed around etc. Fine time. To bed 1 A.M.

**********

Tuesday, May 10 through Saturday, May 14, 1921

There are no entries for these days and no explanations for why they are blank.

Monday, May 9, 1921

Overcast, mild, breezy day. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. -12:30 M. Dinner. Helped father. Took nap. Down town. Supper. Worked on E.L. banquet committee. To Merris home on business. Wrote in diary, letter to D.S.R. To bed.

**********
Wonder what he does downtown? He doesn't detail his activities there anymore. Alas!

Sunday, May 8, 1921

MOTHERS DAY
Marvelous, bright, warm day. Arose 8:30 A.M. Breakfast etc. To S.S. Mr. Antrim here to dinner. Talked etc. Worked on E.L. topic. Led meeting at 6:30 P.M. "What we owe to our parents." Talked. Walked up with Doris. To bed 12 P.M. Thankful for good PARENTS.

**********
I guess there were no Mothers Day festivities in their house. But Stanford did seem to appreciate his mom, at least. No way to know who Mr. Antrim is.

Saturday, May 7, 1921

Left prom at 5 A.M. Took Dorothea home. Back to city. Breakfast etc. Slept 8 A.M.-2 P.M. Arose. To Union-Hamilton B.B. game 3-5 and tennis 5-1. Supper. Out for ride. To bed 10:30 P.M. Thankful for health, education etc.

**********
I guess he went to a tennis match that Union apparently won? According to the 1921 Garnet, the tennis team won all their matches in 1919. That helps, since their other teams are not that good.

Friday, May 6, 1921

Beautiful, bright, Mild day. Arose 8 A.M. Odd jobs. Cleaned up car etc. Down town. Took bath. Supper. Short nap. Up. Dressed. To Parkers Corners after Miss Reynolds. Around town. To Junior Prom at College Gym 10 P.M. to 5 A.M. Wonderful time. 225 couples.

**********
Ah, the Junior Prom! Now I know the reason for the dancing lessons and the fancy suit, complete! And he's apparently still dating Miss Reynolds.

I wonder why not the Senior Prom? Hmmm. Here is a photo taken from the 1921 Garnet of the 1920 Junior Prom. I can imagine it was similar to 1921.



Thursday, May 5, 1921

Overcast, damp, cool. Some rain. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast. To College 8-11:30 A.M. Fooled around. Dinner. Took nap. Down street. Supper. Played duets with Ruth. Wrote in diary. To bed 10:30 P.M. Thankful for health, friends etc.

**********
He's still playing the piano, I see.

Wednesday, May 4, 1921

Fair, bright, mild, clear day. Arose 6:00 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8-11 A.M. Home. Odd jobs. Dinner. Tried on dress suit complete. Played tennis at college with H.H. Supper. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Home. Studied. To bed 11 P.M.

**********

Tuesday, May 3, 1921

Beautiful, bright, cool, breezy day. Arose 6:15 A.M. Studied. Mess. To College 8 A.M. -12 M. Dinner. Down street. Bought full dress shirt, collar, tie, studs etc. Bowled at Morse with H.H. To Park Site with family. Mowed lawn. Planted. Lunch etc. Home. Took bath. To bed 10:00 P.M.

**********
I think our Stanford will be dapper with his new clothes! Must be getting ready for graduation. This is a copy of an ad for a tailor published in 1921.

Monday, May 2, 1921

Beautiful, bright, cool day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Dinner. Helped father. To Phi Nu Theta lodge. Talked. Home. Sorted eggs for storage. Supper. Studied. To bed 10 P.M. Thankfulissimus.

**********
Stanford's invented a new word! I like it!

Sunday, May 1, 1921

Daylight saving goes into effect. Rain in A.M. Cleared in P.M. Got up 9:45 A.M. Breakfast etc. To Church & S.S. Very few out. Dinner. To Stones after dress suit. Out riding to Vischers. Ferry etc. To E.L. 70 present. To Church. Home. Lunch. To bed 10:30 P.M.

**********


Saturday, April 30, 1921

Cool, rainy, disagreeable day. Arose 7 A.M. To College 7:45 to 11:15 A.M. Read paper. Dinner. Got hair cut. Took nap. Errands. Ruth entertains Elizabeth Williams for weekend. Byer & Sawyer to supper.  Walking with Merlin. Called on Walsh etc. Bowled. To bed 12:30 P.M.

**********
I don't know who Elizabeth Williams is or Byer, but I think Sawyer is Ruth's beau.

Friday, April 29, 1921

Rain at night. Overcast, mild, humid day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Studied. To College 8-11:30 A.M. Home. Dinner. Read paper etc. To College to S.H.S.-Frosh track meet. To Saratoga on Chartered car. E.L. treat for winning contest. Home with Grace Pettit. To bed 3 A.M.

**********

Thursday, April 28, 1921

Most beautiful, bright, hot day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. To College 7:45 A.M.-12 M. Helped father polish car. Studied. Took nap. On errands. Played tennis with H.H., Merlin & Fred at college. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Talked. To bed 11:30 P.M.

**********
Merlin is still around, I see! I forgot who Fred is, though.

Wednesday, April 27, 1921

Marvelous, bright, warm day. Arose 7 A.M. Studied. Ate. To College 7:45-11:45 A.M. Fooled around. Dinner. Played tennis with H.H. 1-2:30 P.M. Home. Helped father painting wheels of car etc. Supper. Home in evening. Studied etc. To bed 10 P.M.

**********
They sure are a family of do-it-yourself-ers!

Tuesday, April 26, 1921

Wonderful, clear, warm day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11:45 A.M. Dinner. Took nap. H.H. & I washed Hudson. Supper. Talked with Horning, Lib, Walker etc. Wrote letter. Studied. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
Horning could be Edward Becker Horning, one year behind Stanford.  He was from Fultonville, NY and was born in 1901.  He became an attorney in Buffalo, married and had two children (at least), and died in 1993, an old man. There are records available for some of his cases--two that I saw were tort cases.

Monday, April 25, 1921

Beautiful, bright, hot, clear day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Read paper. To College 8 A.M.-12:30 M. Played tennis. Beat Kelly 6-1; 6-0. Lost to Tasker 6-2; 6-4. Supper. Looked over eggs. Studied. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for health.

**********
I didn't find a Kelly among Stanford's classmates, but I did find a Tasker who is a sophomore in 1921: Van Keuren Wade Tasker, who lived at 402 Park Avenue.  He also shows up in the Garnet yearbook for 1922 in the page showing the Phi Nu Theta fraternity, of which the Closson boys were members.  Here is their picture:
By 1940 Van is married with a 13 year old son.  His occupation in the 1940 census is gas station attendant, but it looks as if he may actually own the gas station. He and his family live in Fort Edward, NY by then. He died in 1985.

Sunday, April 24, 1921

Beautiful, bright, mild, clear day. Arose 8:30 A.M. Breakfast. To Church & S.S. Russell, Merris, & I to Albany to see Lull. To E.L. & Church. Bishop Wilson spoke. Took Dorothea Reynolds out home. Talked etc. To bed 1 A.M. En bon sante.

**********
Not sure who or what "Lull" is.  

Saturday, April 23, 1921

Genuine, dark, rainy day. Arose 6 A.M. Studied. To College 8-11 A.M. Fooled around on car. Dinner. Talked etc. Supper. Stella Sanborn over on train. To Hudson Theater to see "Successful Calamity" by Mountebanks. Ate at Peacock Shop. To Albany with Stella in S.S. To bed 1:30 A.M.

**********
So, still seeing Stella?  The Mountebanks were the Union College players (and still are).  Here is a little description of the Theater Department and some information about the Mountebanks taken from the Union College website:
As you can see above, the group was founded in 1912, so by the time Stanford was attending one of their plays, the group was already nine years old.

Friday, April 22, 1921

Overcast with intermittent rain. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Shot pool at College Union. Dinner. To Rhetoric. To Library. Studied. Supper. Home in evening. To bed 9:30 P.M. Thankful.

**********

Tuesday, April 19 through 21, 1921

No entries were made for these dates.

Monday, April 18, 1921

Overcast, damp, rainy day. Arose 6:15 A.M. Studied etc. Read paper. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. to 12:30 M. Dinner. Talked. To Phi Nu Theta. Down town. Home. Studied. Some snow in A.M. Studied. To College library. Home. To bed 10 P.M. Thankful for health, friends etc.

**********
This entry is followed by three blank dates: April 19, 20 & 21. There is no explanation for the gaps.

Sunday, April 17, 1921

Dark, damp, misty, cool day. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast etc. To Church & S.S. Dinner. To Albany with Russell to see Albert Lull. Much better. To Sch'dy. Lunch. To E.L. & church Men's night.To Benedicts. To bed 11:30 P.M.

**********

Saturday, April 16, 1921

[Entries for April 13-15 are missing with no explanation.]

Cloudy, dark, with some rain. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Odd jobs. Played tennis at College. Looked over eggs. Supper. Down street. Bowled etc. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for Education, kind parents etc.

**********
I think Stanford is getting a little tired of writing in his diary. I would say he's too busy, but that doesn't appear to be the case, from the entries he is putting in. Hmmm . . . 

Tuesday, April 12, 1921

Beautiful, sunshiny, cool day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Read paper. To college 7:45-11 A.M. Studied. Dinner. Took nap. Odd jobs. Down town on errands. Supper. Wrote letter to S.E.S. Studied. To P.O. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for friends.

**********
I'm pretty sure S.E.S. is Stella Sanborn, a friend he writes to once in a while, and sometimes goes out with.

Stella Eaton
Stella, as I've learned, was probably named after her mother's sister, Stella Eaton.  Here is a picture of Stella's namesake, Aunt Stella.

Monday, April 11, 1921

Fair, bright, cool, clear, breezy day. Arose 7 A.M. To College 8 A.M. to 12:30 M. Dinner. Wrote in diary etc. To Third floor to study and sleep. Supper. To library. To College Chapel to Giddings lecture. Down town. Bowled etc. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
Franklin Henry Giddings graduated from Union College with a degree in Engineering, but later turned to Sociology for his life's work, teaching primarily at Columbia University as the first full time Sociology professor in the U.S. His ideas and research were pioneering in the field; he was famous for having written the first Sociology textbook in the U.S., according to this webpage about him, taken from the Union College website.

His lecture series was something he did frequently for Union College. Here is a news report that appeared in the NY Times for March 2, 1913, reporting on the lecture series for that year.

Sunday, April 10, 1921

Cloudy, cool, breezy, clear day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Dressed etc. To Saratoga to Annual Conference. Mother, Father, Ruth, Tom, Mildred Swart, I, Mr. & Mrs. Bernrath. Home. Dinner. Talked. Short nap. To E.L. To Parkers Corners. Ruth called for me. To bed 1 P.M. [A.M.?]

**********
I found a married couple, William and Isabel Bernrath, who lived in Schenectady and also Glenville. They may be friends or neighbors. But no other clues, so I can't tell.

Saturday, April 9, 1921

Overcast. Some rain. Cleared beautiful in P.M. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Cleaned up car. Dinner. Dressed up. To Saratoga to Conference 2:15 P.M. Sang in chorus at Methodist and Baptist churches. Good meetings. Walked about town. 2 special cars left 10 P.M. To bed 12 P.M.

**********

Friday, April 8, 1921

Overcast, cool, clear, spring day. Arose 7 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. Read paper. To College 7:45 -11 A.M. H.H. left 11:35 for Boston for Conference on the ministry. Dinner. Home in P.M. Studied etc. Supper. Condition exam in Eng. 7-10 P.M. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
Evidently, this conference was held at Harvard. Here is a news report taken from the April 5, 1921 Harvard Crimson:

TO HOLD FIFTEENTH COLLEGE CONFERENCE

Thirty-Five Men Signify--Their Intention to Join Christian Ministry Gathering of Eastern Colleges From April 8-10

Thirty-five men out of the 100 men expected have already registered for the fifteenth annual conference of Eastern college men of the Christian ministry to be held at the University from Friday until Sunday, April 8, 9 and 10. The purpose of this conference will be to give definite and reliable information concerning the demands and opportunities of the Christian ministry. It is open to all college and university men who want to know more facts on the subject, and especially for those who are now deciding upon their life work.
During the three days of the conference an excellent opportunity will be afforded for men to meet and associate with representatives from other colleges as well as leaders in the Christian ministry and social work. The speakers will include President Lowell and ministers of wide experience.
Initial Dinner Friday, April 8
The conference will open with a dinner for all delegates and visitors on Friday, April 8, at 6.30 P. M. Meals and sleeping accommodations, in private homes or in seminary or University dormitories, will be provided for all men who attend the conference. Arrangements for rooms may be made on application to Walter I. Tibbetts at Phillips Brooks House.
The program is as follows:
Friday April 8
6.30 P. M.--Dinner at the First Unitarian Church under the auspices of the seven churches of Old Cambridge. Greetings by the Reverend Samuel McChord Crothers '99, minister of the First Unitarian Church. Mr. C. D. Kepner Jr. '17, Chairman of Committee of Theological Students, and by representatives of Hartford and Union Seminaries.
7.45 P. M.--Opening Session of the Conference, Phillips Brooks House. Address of welcome, President Lowell. "The Maintenance of Ideals in the Life of the Nation," Mr. J. F. Moors '83.
Saturday, April 9
9.00 A. M.--Devotional Service, Harvard Divinity School Chapel.
9.30 A. M.--Conference, Andover Seminary Chapel. "What Constitutes a Call to the Ministry," the Reverend Charles Park, Minister, First Church in Boston (Unitarian). "The Minister's Opportunities for Usefulness"; (a) as a preacher--the Reverend Willard Learoyd Sperry, Professor of Practical Theology, Andover Theological Seminary; (b), as a student--the Reverend George Thomas Smart '95, Minister, Newton Highlands Congregational Church; (c), as a Pastor--the Reverend Edmund Swett Rousmanicre '83, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston.
2.00 P. M.--Conference, Phillips Brooks House. "What I Find Worth While in the Ministry," the Reverend John Dallas, Rector, Episcopal Church, Hanover, N. H.; the Reverend Charles. Lothrop Noyes Minister, Broadway-Winter Hill Church, Winter Hill, Mass.; the Reverend Warren Seymour Archibald '03, Minister, The South Church, Hartford, Conn.
4.00 P. M.--Excursions to various places of interest in Boston and Cambridge.
8.00 P. M.--Conference, Phillips Brooks House. "The Christian Ministry and the World's Need" the Reverend John Merrill, President of Central Turkey College, Aintab.
Sunday, April 10
9.00 A. M.--Communion Service, Episcopal Theological School Chapel.
11.00 A. M.--University Service, Appleton Chapel. The Reverend Francis John McConnell, Bishop of the Methodist Church.
3.00 P. M.--Open Meeting for Discussion and Questions, Phillips Brooks House, the Reverend George Edwin Horr, President of Newton Theological Institution, presiding.
7.00 P. M.--Conference, Appleton Chapel. "The Christian Ministry and the Social Problems." Bishop Francis John McConnell.

Thursday, April 7, 1921

Overcast, cool, dark, damp, day. Arose 6 :30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Home. Odd jobs. Dinner. Home in P.M. Studied etc. Supper. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Talked. To home. Wrote letter etc. To bed 12:30 P.M.

**********

Wednesday, April 6, 1921

Marvelous bright hot day 85 Degrees in shade. Arose 6:50 A.M. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Home. Fooled around. Uncle Charlie to dinner. Studied. Out to call on John & Anna Meyers. Over to Scotia on business. Supper. Bowled at Morse with H.H. Home. Studied. Wrote letter. To bed 2:30 P.M.

*********

Tuesday, April 5, 1921

Wonderful, bright, warm and clear. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Home. Wrote in diary etc. Dinner. Studied. Down town. Bowled at Morse Supper. Helped father sort eggs. To bed 10:45 P.M. Thankful?

**********

Monday, April 4, 1921

Fair, bright, mild, spring day. Arose 8 A.M. Read paper. Breakfast. Helped father. To College 9 A.M. to 12:30 M. Dinner. Studied. Took nap. Down town on errands. Supper. To hear Sherwood Eddy in gym. 8 P.M. Good. 1500 in attendance. To bed 10:30 P.M.

**********
George Sherwood Eddy was a leading Protestant missionary, author and speaker, apparently an expert on Asia. He was also the National Secretary for the YMCA. Here is the web page for the Wikipedia article on him. If you're interested in reading one of his many books, Project Gutenberg has With Our Soldiers in France on line at this address: Eddy. It was published shortly after the war, so Stanford may have read it.

Here's his picture:
G. Sherwood Eddy

Sunday, April 3, 1921

Beautiful, bright, clear, cool day. Arose 8:30 A.M. Breakfast. Shaved. Dressed etc. To Church & S.S. Dinner. Helped with dishes. To Ed & Leila's after Ruth; took Uncle John and Aunt Gertie along. Nice visit. To Epworth League. 70 out. To Church with Mildred Swart. Dined at Canton. Talked. To bed 12 P.M.

**********

Saturday, April 2, 1921

Beautiful, bright, cool breezy day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Worked. Dinner. On hike 2-10 P.M. Larkin, Finch, Norris, Lincks, H.H., Todd, Brodt, Benedict & I, end of Campbell Ave line. Played ball etc. Ground very wet. To bed 10:30 P.M.

**********
Finch reappears! And two new folks: Todd and Brodt. But with no first/last names, I can't come up with a person.

Friday, April 1, 1921

Fair, cool, clear, windy, clearing. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Read paper. To College 7:45 -11 A.M. Dinner. Sorted eggs for storage 1-6 P.M. Supper. Cleaned up. To social at Y for all young peoples church organizations. Escorted Miss Swart home. TO BED 12 P.M.

**********
Okay, her name is Swart, not Swarts. I did find a Mildred Swart, who was living with her parents at 116 Victory Ave in Schenectady in 1920. She was a music teacher, so perhaps she knew Ruth and that is how she and Stanford met. By 1930, she was still living with her parents and her grandmother, and a lodger or two. In 1940, she is still single, still living in the same place, only now her mother is widowed, her grandmother is gone, but Willard Carr, their lodger since 1910, is still there. Mildred is still a music teacher in 1940, giving lessons at home. She never married. One can imagine her teaching music for many years, maybe even until her death at 101. Having been born in 1899, Mildred's life spanned three centuries!

Here is a little description of her that was in the Schenectady High School yearbook for 1919, the year she graduated (in January, apparently):

Miss Damon was the H.S. Orchestra director.

I also found some information about Mildred's heritage, which goes way back in the Schenectady and Glenville area, apparently. Perhaps the Clossons knew the Swarts there, too. And Stanford might have known Mildred from high school as well.  This section was taken from the Hudson-Mohawk Genealogy Website of the Schenectady Public Library. It seems Mildred was an only child.

Thursday, March 31, 1921

Overcast in A.M. Heavy showers at night. Arose 7 A.M. To College 7:45-11 A.M. Odd jobs. Dinner. Studied. Fooled around. Down street. Supper. To fraternity meeting. To College library. To Post Office. To bed 11 P.M. No snow. Roads like summer etc.

**********

Wednesday, March 30, 1921

Marvelous, bright, cool, clear day. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. Talked etc. To city with Mr. Reynolds. Home. Read paper etc. Marcus here to dinner. Candled and sorted eggs for storage. Studied. Supper. Ruth to Ed & Leila's for rest. Home in evening. To bed 9 P.M.

**********
I wonder why Ruth needed a rest? And why she had to go to someone's house to do it? Hmmm . . .

I don't know who Marcus is. Perhaps he's mentioned him before? Too lazy to look it up.

Tuesday, March 29, 1921

Beautiful, bright, cold, clear, windy day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Mother, father, Ruth & I out to buy eggs. Started 8:45 A.M. via Duanesburg, Esperance, Sloanesville, Central Bridge (DINNER), Scoharie, Middleburg, Breakabeen etc, Berne, Gallupville etc. 89 miles. Stopped at Parkers Corners. Stayed overnight. TO BED 12 P.M.

**********
That was quite a trip through the small towns of eastern New York. Below is a Google Maps' rendering of the route. Google wouldn't let me put one more destination on the list, so you'll have to imagine how they got to Parkers Corners. Interestingly, Google clocks the trip at 88.5 miles.

Egg-Buying Trip

Monday, March 28, 1921

Beautiful in A.M. Cloudy & showers in P.M. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast. Fooled around. H.H. & I cleaned out barn. Dinner. Helped mother & father etc. Read. Supper. Home in evening. Played games etc. Took bath. Cold at night. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for health, friends, opportunities etc.

**********

Sunday, March 27, 1921

Fair, bright, very warm day. Arose 6:15 A.M. Dressed. To Church to early Easter service with Mildred Swarts 7:30-8:15 A.M. Breakfast. To Church service. Full house. To S.S. Marion & Mark to dinner. To Uncle John's to call. To E.L. 132 out. To Church with M.S. Talked. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
I wasn't able to find out anything about Mildred Swarts. But I see that Marion & Mark are seeing quite a lot of Hanford and Ruth.

Saturday, March 26, 1921

Overcast, wet, cool, rainy day. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Played piano etc. Wrote in diary. Delivered eggs. Dinner. Cleaned up. Over to Church. To Proctors with Russell & Lew Larkin. Home 6:15 P.M. Supper. Played euchre. Sorted papers. Cleaned room. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
Stanford doesn't say what they watched at Proctors theater, but it was still a vaudeville theater at this time, so . . . 

Friday, March 25, 1921

Rainy in A.M. Cleared and bright in P.M. Arose 9 A.M. Fooled around. Breakfast. Took bath, shaved, washed hair etc. Dinner. Sent out E.L. cards for contest. Out on errands on bicycle. Cleaned up. Ruth, Hanford, Tom, Marion and I to Parkers Corners to Easter Supper. Rode to Altamont. Down to Reynolds house. Food around. To bed 1:15 P.M. [A.M.]

**********

Thursday, March 24, 1921

Overcast damp day with some rain. Arose 6 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8-11 A.M. Home. To noon meeting at church 12:15-12:45 M. Dinner. Read paper. Played piano. Talked etc. Took nap. Supper. To Kappa Sigma Pi initiation at Church. Eats. Bowled. To bed 12:15 P.M.

**********

Wednesday, March 23, 1921

Most wonderful, bright, warm day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied, breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Took walk with H.H. 3-6 P.M. End of Campbell Ave line, out over hills, hit river road above pumping station. Supper. To Derry-Englehart debate on Smith-Towner bill. TO BED 11 P.M.

**********
Here is a picture of the Pumping Station as it appeared in 1923:
The Smith-Towner bill, which was to take effect 1 April 1920, would have created the Department of Education that authorized many actions, such as compulsory education and the training of teachers. It was landmark legislation, but failed to pass, ultimately. I think it's interesting I have never heard of it. If you are interested in reading the bill, here is a website that has a facsimile of it: Smith-Towner.

Tuesday, March 22, 1921

Fair, clear, cool, dry, bright day. Arose 6:45 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Studied. Played piano. Rested. Down town. Bowled at Morse. Home. Supper. Talked. Wrote letter, studied etc. To Post Office. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for friends, health.

**********
It's interesting that every time Stanford writes a letter, he goes right to the Post Office to send it. I wonder if he walked or took the car?

Here is a post card from 1921 showing the Schenectady Post Office, where Stanford spent so much time.

Monday, March 21, 1921

Hot, damp, muggy day. 70 degrees in A.M. Arose 7:15 A.M. Studied. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Dinner. Helped father. Took sleep. Supper. To Basketball smoker at Delta Phi house. Fine time. Home. STUDIED. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for all blessings.

**********

Sunday, March 20, 1921

Wet, rainy, dark, humid day. Arose 8:15 A.M. Breakfast. Took bath etc. Down to see Wilbur Hayes. To S.S. Dinner. Wrote in diary etc. Took nap. Out walking with Russell. To E.L. social hour and meeting 152 out. Took D.S.R. home. TO BED 2 A.M.

**********
In case you've forgotten, Wilbur Hayes featured prominently in earlier Stanford diary entries. Here is one that describes the friend: Wilbur Hayes.

I see Dorothea is still in the picture. But her days are numbered, as she eventually marries someone else.

Saturday, March 19, 1921

Overcast, cool, breezy day. Rain at night. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. Studied. To College 9-11 A.M. Nap. Hair cut. Odd jobs in P.M. Greased Hudson car etc. Supper. Cleaned up. To E.L. Social at Alplans at Alferetta Clutes home. Eleven went. Good time. To bed 1:45 P.M. [A.M.?]

**********
Alfaretta (variously spelled) Clute is apparently a single woman of about 26 or 27 at this time, living in Newburgh with her parents. But they had lived in Glenville previous to this time, so perhaps that is how the Clossons knew them.  In the Closson Genealogy, the writer makes mention of a Clute family who were very early settlers to the Providence area and he goes on to say that there were two Clutes, Jacob and Gershom, who lived at the time of the genealogy's writing (1950) in Providence, NY. And since one of Alfaretta's brothers is named Jacob, these may be the people mentioned in the Genealogy and by Stanford in his diary entry.

Here is a picture of Alfaretta Clute, taken from a family tree on ancestry.com.
According to that website, she eventually married a man by the name of Fisher, but unfortunately only lived to be 40 years old.

Friday, March 18, 1921

Beautiful, bright, cool, breezy day. Arose 6:45 A.M. Studied, Breakfast. To college 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Dinner. Took short nap. To rhetoric. Talked at Phi Nu Theta rooms. Home. Sent out post cards. Studied etc. To bed 10 P.M. Thankful for health, friends.

**********

Thursday, March 17, 1921

Beautiful, bright in A.M. Cloudy in P.M. Some rain at night. Arose 6 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12;15 M. Dinner. Studied. Helped father. Took nap. Supper. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Bowled with Church League 152-162-155. To bed 11:30 P.M.

**********
I wonder if people were celebrating St. Patrick's Day by this time. According to Wikipedia, it had been celebrated in the U.S. since the late 18th century. I guess Stanford wasn't tuned in to Irish celebrations. There was a St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City that day, but Stanford doesn't mention it. 

Wednesday, March 16, 1921

Beautiful, bright, clear, cool, breezy. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Read paper. Arose to campus 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Dinner. To College to get measured for cap & gown. Bowled at *. Mother, father, Ruth and I to Uncle Johns with Hudson. Supper. Wrote letter to S.E.S. To P.O. Studied. Talked. To bed 10:15 P.M.

**********
I'm not sure who S.E.S. is--perhaps Stella Sanborn?

Tuesday, March 15, 1921

Overcast, mild, damp, humid day. Arose 6:10 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8-11 A.M. Took walk in country. Dinner. Conference with family. Wrote letter. Up stairs to study. Helped father. Supper. To College to Lecture. To bed 10:10 P.M.

**********
I wonder what the conference was about? Perhaps his future? Hmmmm . . . 

Monday, March 14, 1921

Fair, mild, damp, day. Snow gone. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Helped father off. To College 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Dinner. Down town. Bowled. Home. Wrote in diary, letter to Nellie etc. Supper. To Ichabod Spencer Lecture. Home. Studied. To bed 10 P.M.

**********
Stanford mentioned the Ichabod Spencer lecture in his 1920 diary on this day: Ichabod.

Sunday, March 13, 1921

Fair, bright, cool, day. Arose 9 A.M. Fooled around. To Church & S.S. Uncle Charlie here to dinner. Out with father on every member canvass. Out walking with Russell Norris. To E.L. Talked etc. To Standard for lunch. Home. To bed 10 P.M. Thankful for health, friends, etc.

**********
I hadn't heard of "every member canvass," so I looked it up and found this definition on the Episcopal Church website:
A parochial stewardship campaign that invites every member of the parish to make a pledge for the upcoming year. The campaign may urge the parishioners to offer their time, talent, and treasure. Members of the parish pledge to give a certain amount of money to the church. The campaign may encourage parishioners to tithe as an expression of Christian generosity and commitment. Parishioners may also pledge to participate in specific forms of Christian service and ministry. The campaign emphasizes the importance of inviting each member to make a pledge to the parish. Members of the stewardship or every member canvass committee may seek to contact all parish members by home visits or telephone. All members of the parish are urged to participate in stewardship as an expression of Christian generosity. See Stewardship.

Saturday, March 12, 1921

Bright in A.M. Cloudy in P.M. Rain at nite. Arose 7 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. ToCollege 8-11 A.M. Drew oil off car etc. Dinner. In P.M. H.H. & I to Troy to Russell Sage College to visit Sanborns. Ruth & Tom along. Home. To (8 P.M.) Union (19) - Alumni (28) B.B. Game with D.S.R. Down to CHURCH. Up to MISS BENEDICT'S home. Took D.S.R. to KINGSBURY'S. To bed 3 A.M.

**********
Ah, the couples are coalescing! Ruth & Tom, Hanford and Miss Benedict. I guess Dorothea is not yet a thing of the past, since she's keeping him out to 3 A.M.!

Friday, March 11, 1921

Wonderful warm, bright spring like day. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast. Arose. To College hill 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Fooled around. To third floor to study and sleep. Supper. Home in evening. Studied etc. To bed 11 P.M. All snow gone. Ground drying up.

**********

Thursday, March 10, 1921

Beautiful, bright, clear, cool, breezy day. Arose 6:45 A.M. Breakfast. Studied. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15. Dinner. Played piano. Wrote in diary etc. To Public and College Libraries. Down town. Bowled etc. 195 & down. Supper. Took Bath. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. To Lincoln School with Ruth to dancing. GOT ALONG FAIR. TO BED 12:15 P.M.

**********
Well, I guess Stanford is using his dancing lessons, though I believe they were intended for bigger affairs. Hard to say at this point.

Here's a picture of Lincoln School as it appears today. It looks like it probably is the same building although it may have been added to since 1908, when it first opened. No doubt it was much grander back in 1921.

Wednesday, March 9, 1921

Cloudy, warm, humid, damp day. Arose 7:25 A.M. Toilet. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Rain in P.M. Took short nap. Studied. Supper. Studied etc. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for health, friends, education, opportunities.

**********

Tuesday, March 8, 1921

Very mild, wet, overcast nasty day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M.-12:15 M. Wrote letters. To P.O.  Helped father. Odd jobs. Got Hudson car from garage. Supper. Studied. Fred Lincks called in evening. To bed 10 P.M.

**********
I finally found Fred Lincks on record. He was a student at the Summer School for Christian Workers in 1921, held at the Auburn Theological Seminary in Auburn, NY. He is listed as G. Fred Lincks there, and shows as being from Schenectady. Ruth is also listed as being a student at Auburn that summer. The Auburn Theological Seminary still exists, and in fact seems to be going strong, affiliated since 1818 with the Presbyterian Church. Here is their website: Auburn.

There are later records of G. Fred Lincks, who was an engineer for General Electric in 1940, living in Pittsfield, MA. It certainly seems likely that this Fred is Stanford's Fred, since in 1921, Fred may have been working at the GE plant in Schenectady and then later moved to Pittsfield where he is listed in the census records.  In 1930 he was living at the YMCA there and working for GE as an electrical engineer, but by 1940 he had a wife and a 1 year old daughter. Looking through Newspapers.com, I can see from the many stories about him in the Pittsfield newspaper that Fred had a long career with GE in Pittsfield, where he lived the rest of his life, dying there in 1994 at the age of 93. His wife, Beatrice, who was 14 years younger than he, died in 2011 at 95.

I found one other little story about G. Fred Lincks. The Pittsfield YMCA gives an award in memory of Fred, the Fred G. Lincks Award. Here is a little bit of information about the most recent recipient of it which also tells why Fred was worthy of remembering.


Monday, March 7, 1921

Overcast, damp, mild, nasty day. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M.-12:30 M. Dinner. Down town. Bowled at Morse. Got watch, toothpaste etc. Talked home. To Lodge. Supper. Wrote letter to D.S.R. Studied. To P.O. Wrote in diary. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for education, all opportunities.

**********
I guess Stanford is still friendly with Dorothea.

Sunday, March 6, 1921

Very dark, wet warm day. Some rain. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Fooled around. With Ford car after harp but too wet. To S.S. Dinner. To E.B. Church to hear Harry Haines. Walked about. To E.L. and Church & fireside social. Russ & I took Mary Clute & Ruth Pelott home. TO BED 12 P.M.

**********
Looking up information about Harry Haines, I discovered that he was a motivational speaker who gave talks at churches in the Schenectady area and presumably other places. Here is an article about him that came out in the Schenectady Gazette, August 12, 1921. It makes mention of Mr. Haines' two previous appearances in the city, one of which must have been the talk Stanford attended.

Mr. Haines had quite a checkered past, which is detailed more extensively in an interesting article about him in the CCNY newspaper from December of 1922: "Former Criminal Addresses YMCA." Here is the link if you're interested: Harry Haines.

Saturday, March 5, 1921

Cloudy, damp, mild, dull day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. Around to college 8 A.M. -12:15 M. Uncle John to dinner. Played euchre. Took nap. Played piano. Studied. Pressed suit etc. Supper. To Union Williams B.B. game 26-21. Talked at Lodge. To bed 1:45 P.M.

*********

Friday, March 4, 1921

Beautiful, bright, brisk, breezy day. Arose 7:10 A.M. Read paper. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 Noon. Dinner. Delivered eggs. To Rhetoric 2:30 P.M. To Library to read. Home. Studied. Played piano etc. Supper. Home in evening. Studied. Played games etc. To BED 9 P.M. Gratias.

**********

Thursday, March 3, 1921

Fair, bright, cool. Damp in A.M. Arose 6 A.M. Studied. Read paper. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. to 12:15 M. Home in P.M. Studied etc. Supper. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Talked. To Barcli with H.H. and Art Bussy. "PASSION." To bed 12 P.M.

**********
Arthur (Art) Cortez Bussy Jr. was from the town of Arena, NY, a part of Middletown, NY. His father, Arthur C. Bussy Sr, was a salesman in a feed store, according to the NY Census of 1925. Art Jr. was listed as being a college student. As we know from the Garnet of 1922 (found on ancestry.com), he attended Union College, class of 1924, and was a member of the college band. By 1930 he was married to Elizabeth and had a 14-month old son, Richard.

Art is an interesting person because he went on to become a pilot, and was known for air racing in the 1930s. Below is a picture of Art Bussy in the December 1939 edition of Popular Science, sporting the oxygen mask he invented for himself.  Following that is the story of the plane he flew in the Bendix race. (I know John will enjoy reading about that).

The movie Stanford, Hanford and Art saw, Passion, was a foreign film that came out that year in theaters. Below is a review by Carl Sandburg, noted poet, published in May of 1921, taken from the book, The Movies Are, a collection of movie reviews by Carl Sandburg:



Wednesday, March 2, 1921

Fair, mild, wet, dark, damp day. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast. Read paper etc. To College 8 A.M.-12:15 M. Dinner. Read. Last dancing lesson 2-3 P.M. Bowled at Morse. Home. Supper. Studied. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for health, friends, etc.

**********
I wonder what all the dancing lessons are for?

Tuesday, March 1, 1921

Dark. Very mild and wet. Thawing FAST. Arose 6:15 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To Classes 8-11 A.M. To Lodge. To Chapel. Dinner. Talked. Played piano etc. Studied on third floor. Short nap. Wrote in diary. Supper. Studied. To College to psychology lecture. Walked around. To bed 10:15 P.M.

**********
I didn't know there was a third floor to that house! I wonder why he chose to study there?

Monday, February 28, 1921

Overcast, mild day. Some rain in A.M. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast. To classes 8-11 A.M. To Phi Nu Theta rooms. To Chapel. Dinner. Played piano, talked etc. Took nap. Odd jobs. Supper. Studied. To College to 1st of Ichabod Spencer lectures. Dr. Franklin Giddings. Home. To bed 10:10 P.M.

**********
Ichabod Spencer was a minister in the Presbyterian Church. Here is a webpage telling about him: I. Spencer.

The lecture series was started in 1911 to honor Rev. Spencer. Here is a snippet from a scholarly journal that tells about the lecture series' origination at Union College:
And here is the title page of that edition of the journal:

Franklin Giddings, the lecturer, was a graduate of Union College and a Professor of Sociology at Columbia University. Here is a Wikipedia article about him: Giddings.

Sunday, February 27, 1921

Dark, mild, wet. Rain at night. Arose 8:15 A.M. Swept walk. Breakfast. Washed hair etc. To Church & S.S. Communion. Dinner. Fooled around. To E.L. Chows practice 3:30 P.M. Cabinet meeting 5 P.M. Devotional meeting 6:15 P.M. Union College Deputation Team in charge. Out to Parkers Corners with Ford. Fine visit. R [retired?] 1:45 P.M.

**********
From what I can tell, Deputation Teams are teams of Christian students who conduct outreach to various groups of people. Anybody have more specific information?

Not sure what "chows practice" is. Anybody know?

Saturday, February 26, 1921

Overcast mild damp. Some snow. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8-11:45 A.M. Dinner. Got hair cut. Took dancing lesson at 2 P.M. Home. Studied. Supper. Played euchre. To College to B.B. game. Edison Drafting School 28 - Edison Club 18. Watched dancing. To bed 11:45 P.M.

**********

Friday, February 25, 1921

Fair cool clear day. 6 above zero in A.M. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. To college 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Read. Took nap. Wrote in diary etc. Supper. Played euchre etc. Studied. To bed 9:45 P.M. Thankful for health, friends, education etc.

**********

Thursday, February 24, 1921

Overcast cool dry breezy day. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M.-12:15 M. Dinner. Studied. Odd jobs. Cleaned up. To Pancake Supper at Pilgrim Congregational Church with Merlin & Russel. To Barcli with R.E.N. [Russell Norris] Talked. To bed 11:15 P.M.

**********

Wednesday, February 23, 1921

Overcast wet day. Some snow & rain. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Took short nap.  Fifth dancing lesson 2 P.M. Bowled at Morse. Traded. Home. Studied. Supper. Read "La Robe Rouge" on third floor. Wrote in diary. To bed 10:30 P.M. Thankful.

**********
I believe the book Stanford read is a play that came out in 1915, La Robe Rouge. There is a full text version of it in English on Hathi Trust Digital Library, here: The Red Robe.

Tuesday, February 22, 1921

Fair, bright, mild day. Arose 9 A.M. Helped father. Breakfast. Uncle Charlie here all day. Played piano, talked etc. Dinner. Ruth, Mark, Marion, H.H., Fred, Merlin & I hiked out to Reynolds. Fooled around. Lunch etc. Rest back on buss [sic]. Read. Talked. Walked to R.R. Caught ride. To bed 12:30 P.M.

**********

Monday, February 21, 1921

Beautiful bright day. 4 below in A.M. Milder during day. Arose 6:45 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M.-12:30 M. Dinner. Played piano. Down town. Bowled at Morse with H.H. Practised dancing. Supper. Played euchre with S.T.C. To bed 10 P.M.

**********

Sunday, February 20, 1921

Overcast windy day. About 6" snow. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Cleaned walk. Shaved; odd jobs etc. To S.S. Dinner. Home in P.M. Played piano. Wrote letter to Nellie etc. Lunch. To E.L. 89 present. To Church with Russel. Talked. To Standard for lunch. To bed 10:45 P.M.

**********

Saturday, February 19, 1921

Beautiful bright mild clear day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied french. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Started Ford etc. 4th dancing lesson 2 P.M. Stopped to c Hudson. Studied. Supper. To Library. Took bath. To bed 9:30 P.M.

**********
Stanford must have been tired. I wonder what he meant by "Stopped to c Hudson"?

Friday, February 18, 1921

Beautiful bright cool clear breezy day. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Took nap. Up stairs to study. Supper. Played piano. Played euchre. To College to Union-Ripon debate. Ripon won 2-1. Home. Studied. To bed 12:15 P.M.

**********
Ripon College is a small liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin. Here is a picture of their 1928 debate team, no doubt pretty similar to their 1921 debate team:

Taken from Ripon College Archives

Thursday, February 17, 1921

Beautiful bright clear warm day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:20 M. Award of scholarly honors. Dinner. Helped father. Down street. Bowled and traded. Supper. Played euchre, studied. To Basketball game Union 35-Carnegie Tech 25. TO BED 10:45 P.M.

**********
Wow! High scoring game!

Wednesday, February 16, 1921

Beautiful bright mild wet day. Arose 7:20 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:20 M. Dinner. To third floor to study. Took nap. Wrote letter. Supper. Shaved. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Initiation. Studied. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
I'm trying to figure out how a day could be both bright and wet . . . 

Tuesday, February 15, 1921

Beautiful bright cool wet day. Arose 6:15 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Took 3rd dancing lesson at 2 P.M. Bowled. Took Pancake flour to Mr. Smits. Supper. Nap. To Kappa Sigma Pi meeting. Talked. Home. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
I wonder why Stanford took pancake flour to Mr. Smits? And what were the dancing lessons for? Maybe the mysteries will be solved later .  .  .

Monday, February 14, 1921

Beautiful bright mild misty day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Studied. To College 8-11 A.M. Home. To Chapel. Dinner. Mrs. St. Clair here. Down town. Watched bowling at Morse Alleys etc. Supper. To meeting of neutral frats in gym. Wrestling. B.B. Speaking, eats etc. To bed 11:45 P.M.

**********
Don't know who Mrs. St. Clair is, but probably a family friend. The Phi Nu Theta fraternity is one of those neutral fraternities. I suppose it meant that the fraternity was unaffiliated with a national fraternity. They called themselves the Eclectic Society at Wesleyan University, where they were founded in 1837. Supposedly, they never moved beyond Wesleyan, but perhaps the fraternity at Union was independent of the mother organization. It's not clear. 

Sunday, February 13, 1921

Beautiful, bright, cool, breezy day. Arose 9:30 A.M. Breakfast. Talked, played piano, took bath. To S.S. Walked around. Dinner. Wrote in diary etc. Sat around etc. To Phi Nu Theta Lodge. To Church E.L. social and meeting. To 215 P.W. Bl'vd. Talked. To bed 11 P.M.

**********
Wonder what was at 215 P.W. Boulevard?

Saturday, February 12, 1921

Fair, bright cool, clear, damp, day. Arose 6:20 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. - 12:20 M. Dinner. Second dancing lesson 2 P.M. Called at Y.M.C.A. Reception at new building. Bowled etc. Supper. Cleaned walk etc. To Proctors with Russel. To bed 12 P.M.

**********
Hmmm. Stanford doesn't seem to be dating lately.

Friday, February 11, 1921

Overcast, snowy, cool, about 6" snow. Arose 6:45 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. To College 8-11 A.M. Home. Washed hair. Up to Chapel. Dinner. Took stuff over to Church. To rhetoric. To Church to Pankake [sic] Supper. Waited on table etc. To College to fraternity initiation. Ate down town. To bed 11:45 P.M.

**********

Thursday, February 10, 1921

Overcast mild damp day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:20 M. Dinner. Studied, read etc. Down town. Up to Library. Supper. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Over to church. Talked etc. To bed 11 P.M.

**********

Wednesday, February 9, 1921

Cloudy, dull, misty, damp day. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:20 M. Dinner. Fooled around. Took first dancing lesson at Cains 2 P.M. Bowled. Home. Wrote in diary etc. Supper. Home in evening. Studied. To bed 10 P.M.

**********
Hmmm. I wonder what prompted the dancing lessons?

Tuesday, February 8, 1921

Beautiful bright clear warm wet day. Arose 6:30 A.M. Breakfast. Helped start ford. To College 8-10:30 A.M. Read. Towed Hudson to garage. To Chapel. Dinner. Took nap. Wrote in diary. To College to register. Down town. Bowled. Supper. Wrote letter. To Russel's house to plan for Pancake Supper. To bed 11:45 P.M.

**********
Uh-oh. What's wrong with the Hudson? I guess the spring semester is finally starting.

Monday, February 7, 1921

Overcast Cool day with some snow. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 9-10:15 A.M. Home. To Phi Nu Theta lodge. Mr. Wilson Sigma Nu inspector up all day. To Canton to dinner. Bowled at Morse. Bought candy. Uncle John & Aunt Gertie here to surprise supper and over night. To automobile show. To bed 10:30 P.M.

**********

Sunday, February 6, 1921

Overcast damp mild April day. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast, shaved etc. To Church & S.S. Took Russel up after tickets. Dinner. To Hospital to see Dot Gallup with Ruth, D.S.R., M.M.B. and Clif B. in B's car. Rode around. Lunch home. To E.L. & Church. Talked with Russ. To BED 12:30.

**********
I don't know who B's are, but they provided the car. I wonder why Dot was in the hospital?

Saturday, February 5, 1921

Dark, dull, wet rainy disagreeable day. Arose 9:15 A.M. Breakfast. Fooled around. Got hair cut. Uncle John & John & Anna Myers to dinner. Played euchre. Down town. Bought goods. Supper. To College Frosh 15 - Albany High 16; Union 31 - Albany law 16. Home. Pressed suit took bath etc. TO BED 12 P.M.

**********
Good thing those lawyers can't play basketball! It's very unusual, by the way, for Stanford to complain about the weather or anything else for that matter.

Friday, February 4, 1921

Beautiful bright mild clear day. Arose 9:15 A.M. Dressed. Breakfast. Read. Played piano etc. Dinner. Did odd jobs. Took short nap. To College. Supper. Bowled with Church League 126 - 154 -126. Took 2 games from Grace M.E. H.H. to Sacandega. TO BED 11 P.M.

**********

Thursday, February 3, 1921

Overcast mild damp day. Little snow. Arose 10 A.M. Breakfast. Dressed. Played piano, Read, talked etc. Dinner. Took nap. Wrote in diary. Up to College. Bowled at Morse 159-203-202. Supper. To B.B. game S.S. F.M.E. won. Talked. Bowled 153-179-215. To bed 12:15 P.M.

**********
Wow! Good bowling scores!

Wednesday, February 2, 1921

Overcast cool damp day. Candlemas day. No sun at noon. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Around house. Read paper. Played piano etc. Dinner. Took nap. Did odd jobs around house. Supper. To Library. Home. Read etc. To bed 10:15 P.M. Thankful for health, friends, education etc.

**********
Candlemas is a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus' presentation at the temple marking the end of the traditional period of 40 days of the mother's purification following a child's birth.

It is also the date half-way between winter solstice and vernal equinox, and for that reason has been a special day on which people make predictions about the remaining winter's weather.

Groundhog Day is one of the versions of that seasonal holiday. Here is a website where both Candlemas and Groundhog Day are explained and compared: February 2.


Tuesday, February 1, 1921

Beautiful bright clear cold day. Arose 9 A.M. Fooled around. Played piano, read paper etc. Dinner. Took nap. Read. Helped father start car etc. Supper. Over to Church in P.M. Helped address envelopes. Talked with Russel. To Quinns. To bed 12:15 P.M.

**********
One needed help to start a car in those days! Fall semester straddled the Christmas holidays once upon a time. I also had that kind of fall semester when I first went to college. Notice Stanford is taking his finals this week. I don't know who the Quinns are at this point.

Monday, January 31, 1921

Overcast cool winter's day. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Helped father start car. Studied. Played piano etc. Dinner. To College 2 -5 P.M. for Philosophy exam. Supper. Bowled 2 games at Morse with H.H. To K.S.P. meeting at Church. Talked, sang, played etc. Home. To bed 11:15 P.M.

**********

Sunday, January 30, 1921

Mild dark wet day. Some snow and rain. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Twalay etc. To Church & S.S. Mr. & Mrs. St Clair of California here to dinner. Took nap. Wrote in diary etc. To E.L. 95 YOUNG PEOPLE PRESENT. Rode with D.S.R. to her aunts. Back to social hour and church. Good time. Walked home with Nellie Gallup. TO BED 10:30 P.M.

**********
Hmmm . . . Things seemed to have cooled with Dorothea. Nellie Gallup? 

Saturday, January 29, 1921

Overcast cool windy day. Arose 9:30 A.M. Breakfast etc. Candled eggs & did odd jobs etc. Dinner. Cleaned up. To Ice Carnival at Central Park with auto. Fine time. Bobby McLean and others performed. To Ballston lake to skate. M.M. & Clifford B [?], Ruth. H.H. & I. Supper over camp fire. Fine time. Took bath. Played euchre etc. To bed 11 P.M.

***********
I couldn't find any information about the Ice Carnival, unfortunately. But I did track down Bobby McLean, who was a famous speed ice skater in 1921. Here is an article about the Amateur Championship, featuring McLean, that was to occur at Saranac Lake, NY (about 137 miles north of Schenectady), the first week of February that year:

Plattsburgh Sentinel, January 18, 1921

NATIONAL AMATEUR RACES AT SARANAC LAKE IN FEB.

February 1, 2 and 3 have been fixed as the dates for the National Amateur Champion Races at Saranac Lake. A committee comprising C. J. Ayres C. H. Goldsmith and Livingston Chapman was named to take charge of the arrangements.

Plans were made for evening entertainments on the ice and at the Boys' Club during the meet. The program will include a fancy dress carnival and a fancy dress ball. Arrangements for the latter will be in charge P. J. McGarry.

The meet will follow the Canadian championships which will be staged at Montreal January 28 and 29. An effort is being made to form a circuit including the races at Montreal, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and possibly Malone. This will enable the skaters of the United states and Canada to compete in the major skating events within a month period and will facilitate the work of the associations involved.

F. H. McKee was named to take charge of the programs of the ice events here and Eddy Whitby will arrange for accommodations for skaters and visitors, it is expected the races will attract a large number of followers of the sport who will have an opportunity of witnessing the races here and international race at Lake Placid within a vacation period.

Admission charge for the races were set as follows: Season tickets, $3.50; single admissions, including grand stand seats, $1.05; general admission afternoons 85 cents for adults and 25 cents for children 14 or under. Evening admissions to the rink 55 cents.

Bobby McLean, taken from National Speed Skating Museum website

Friday, January 28, 1921

Most beautiful bright mild clear day. Arose 7:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast etc. To College for English Exam 9 A.M. - 12 M. Dinner. Candled eggs. Took short nap. Mr. Hamid here to supper. Bowled with Church League 168-120-156. Lost 2 games to Albany St. To Church Pacific Coast. E.L. Social. Took D.S.R. to her aunts. Talked. Walked home. To bed 3 A.M.

**********

Thursday, January 27, 1921

Beautiful bright clear cold still day. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast, toilet etc. Studied Economics. Dinner. Got dressed. Took Economics exam 2-5 P.M. Extremely Long. To Library. Supper. Bowled at Morse with H.H. Home. Studied etc. To bed 10 P.M. Thankful for comforts.

**********
I wonder what students studied in Economics back then? Apparently, there was a depression from 1920-21. Did they study that, do you think? Here is an article about it: Depression 1921.

Wednesday, January 26, 1921

2 above zero. Beautiful bright clear cold still day. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast, studied. To College 9-10 A.M. Psychology exam. Home. Wrote in diary, letter etc. Dinner. Took nap. Down town. Bowled at Star with H.H. Home in evening. Studied. Ruth & H.H. skating. To bed 10:30 P.M.

**********

Tuesday, January 25, 1921

Beautiful bright cold clear winter day. Practically no snow on ground. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. to 12:15 M. Dinner. Took nap. Started Ford Car. Down town. Supper. Home in evening. Studied. Played Euchre with H.H. & S.T. To bed 10 P.M.

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Monday, January 24, 1921

Cool bright clear windy day. Arose 8 A.M. Read paper. Breakfast etc. To College 9 A.M. - 12:45 M. Dinner. Read "Doll's House" by Ibsen. Down town. Bowled at Star with H.H. & McLean. Supper. Prepared key. To Church to H.S. Prize Speaking Contest. Florence Lavery won girls prize. Talked etc. To bed 11 P.M.

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Given the subject matter of A Doll's House, I wonder if Stanford liked it? He doesn't say.

Sunday, January 23, 1921

Bright cool breezy day. Some snow towards night. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast etc. To Church & S.S. Dinner. Out for ride. Called on Uncle John & Aunt Gertie. Nice visit. To E.L. Out for walk with gang. To Social after Church. Walked up with Doris Smith. TO BED 11:30 P.M.

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Doris Smith again? Hmmmm . . . 

Saturday, January 22, 1921

Fair mild damp day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. to 12:15 M. Dinner. Candled eggs. Out on hike, end of Campbell Ave line 10 K.S.P. boys. Fine time. Home. To Union-Syracuse game 24-25 with father. Exciting. To BED 11 P.M.

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Union almost won!

Friday, January 21, 1921

Mild wet overcast day. Some rain. Arose 7:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast etc. To College 9-11 A.M. Home. Studied. Dinner. Candled eggs. To Rhetoric 2:30 to 3:45 P.M. Spoke on THRIFT. Candled eggs. Supper. To P.O. To College Phi Nu Theta: Alpha Gamma Phi B.B. game 11-13. Down town. Watched bowling. Studied. To bed 10:30 P.M.

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Thursday, January 20, 1921

Mild damp day. Some snow & rain. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8-11 A.M. Home. Read paper. Dinner. To Library to write rhetoric speech. Clean up. To Chicken Supper at church with R.E.N. To Phi Nu Theta meeting. Learned oration etc. To bed 12 BELLS.

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I'm not sure who R.E.N. is, but it might be Russell Norris. 

Wednesday, January 19, 1921

- 2 degrees. Cold, still, clear, bright, dry day. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast. Helped father crank car etc. To College 9-11 A.M. Delivered eggs. Dinner. To Library. Down town. Bowled with H.H. Supper. Wrote letter. To Post Office. Studied, talked etc. To bed 10:30 P.M.

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Those old cars were tough to crank!

Tuesday, January 18, 1921

4 below zero. Beautiful bright cold clear windy day. Below zero for first time of winter. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Studied. Took very short repose. Bowled at Morse with H.H. 140-144-174-186-215. Supper. Candled eggs, studied. Played games etc. To bed 10:30 P.M.

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Monday, January 17, 1921

Cold windy blustery day. 1/2" snow. Arose I A.M. Breakfast, read paper etc. To College 9 A.M. -1:10 P.M. Dinner. Took nap. Studied, talked etc. Supper. Home in evening. Played piano. Studied. To bed 10 P.M. Thankful for health, friends etc.

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Sunday, January 16, 1921

Dr. Willy here. Beautiful bright cool clear day. Arose 8:15 A.M. Took Bath. Breakfast etc. To Church and S.S. Dinner. To Jail at 4 P.M. to help lead meeting. To E.L. Social hr. 5:15-6:15 P.M. To E.L. 116 present. To Evening service & Fire side social. To Parkers Corners, to bed 1:45 A.M.

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I wonder what meeting Stanford attended at the Jail? And who is Dr. Willy?

Saturday, January 15, 1921

Mild overcast day. Arose 7 A.M. Usual morning routine. To College 8-11 A.M. Got hair cut. Washed hair. Dinner. Short nap. Candled eggs. Errands. Beat rugs etc. Supper. To B.B. Game at 8:15 P.M. Union 18-N.Y.U. 22. Down town. Bowled 1 game. Talked. To bed 12:30 P.M.

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I wonder if Stanford is getting tired of writing his diary?

Friday, January 14, 1921

Overcast dark mild day. Very little snow. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 9 A.M. - 11 A.M. Started Ford. Dinner. Took nap. To Rhetoric Class 2:30: 3:30 P.M. Studied. Bowled with Church League 156-138-178. F.M.E. 2 Bellevue Reformed 1. To bed 11:30 P.M.

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Thursday, January 13, 1921

Beautiful bright cold clear day. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:15 M. Dinner. Helped Father. Downtown. Bowled. Studied. Talked etc. Supper. To Phi Nu Theta meeting and committee meeting. To bed 10 P.M. + 45 minutes.

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Wednesday, January 12, 1921

Overcast cool breezy clear dry day. Arose 8:10 8:10 A.M. Read paper, letter from Nellie etc. Helped father. To College 9 A.M. - 12:15 M. Jeff Ford here to dinner and over night. Wrote in diary. Took nap. Talked with Mr. Obrien about insurance. Home in evening. Studied. Wrote letter. To P.O. To bed 12 P.M.

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Still uncertain who Jeff Ford is. 

Tuesday, January 11, 1921

Overcast mild humid day. Arose 7 A.M. Studied etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Bolt in French. Dinner Skating at Central Park with H.H. Punk. Bowled at star with H.H. 183-197-205. Supper. Wrote in diary etc. Talked with Russell at House. To Classical Club at Dr. Kellogg's home. 8:30 P.M. To bed 11:30 P.M.

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Dr. Kellogg was George Dwight Kellogg, one of the faculty who taught Latin literature and language. He was a graduate of Yale University, obtaining his PhD in 1898. He lived at 4 Rosa Rd in Schenectady in 1920. Dr. Kellogg taught Latin at least until 1940. He had a son, George Dwight Jr., who married a Miss Anne Hutchinson in 1964; it was the younger George's second marriage, his first wife having died.

Monday, January 10, 1921

Cool bright clear dry day. Streets bare. Arose 7:40 A.M. To Prof. Perry's house for Ruth. Breakfast. Helped father. To College 9 A.M. - 12:50 M. Dinner. Took nap. Down street. Bowled. Home in evening. Studied, talked, played etc. To bed 10 P.M.

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Sunday, January 9, 1921

Beautiful bright cool clear day. Arose 9 A.M. Breakfast. Took bath, etc. Out for walk all alone. To S.S. Fred Lincks here to dinner. Talked. Down to Prof. Perry's for candy. To E.L. Cabinet meeting at our house. To E.L. To Kingsburys with D.S.R. To Church & Fireside social. Talked with Russell Norris by fireplace. To bed 12:45 P.M.

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Saturday, January 8, 1921

Hillside Cottage UNION 21 WESLEYAN 20. Overcast mild damp day. Little snow. Arose 7 A.M. Usual routine. To College 8-11 A.M. Home. Dinner. Washed hair. Candled eggs with H.H. Mother, Father, H.H. & I out to John & Anna Myers. Nice visit. To Armory at Nite with M.J.F. State League Game. Sch'dy 29 Cohoes 27. To bed 12:15 P.M.

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Well, the State Basketball League game was an important one, apparently, as it got a pretty big write-up in the Schenectady Gazette. Here is a clipping from the January 8, 1921 morning paper:



Looks like Schenectady (the Dorpians) accomplished their mission, as Stanford reports they won the game. These are apparently adult teams. By the way, the Schenectady Dorpians were also a minor league baseball team in 1895.

Here are the State League standings, as reported by the Gazette:

Friday, January 7, 1921

Cool, dry, breezy overcast day. Arose 8:05 A.M. Breakfast etc. Helped father. To College 9 A.M. to 12:15 M. Dinner. Candled eggs. To rhetoric 2:30 - 3:30 P.M. Cleaned and dressed up. To tea 5 P.M. Prexy's house. Supper. Studied. To bed 11:15 P.M.

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Don't know who Prexy is, but . . . tea? I think Prexy is the college president. There are other examples of this usage at the time. There was a President's Tea in 1951, so that could be what Stanford is jokingly referring to here. Perhaps they have them every year?

Thursday, January 6, 1921


Clear, overcast, colder. Arose 7 A.M. Made toilet, breakfast etc. To College 8 A.M. - 12:30 M. Uncle John here to dinner. He, father, H.H. and I played games. Studied. Downtown with H.H. Bowled. Supper. To High School at night. S.S. B.B. League 2nd Reform 19 - F.M.E. 14. Talked on corner etc. To bed 11 P.M.

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I guess the First Methodist Sunday School team wasn't as good as the 2nd Reform team. Still, it seems shocking to see such a low score.

Stanford's drawing of his day is kind of cute. Apparently the men played dominoes, among other games, perhaps. I like Stanford's depiction of a basketball game. It's kind of impressionistic, wouldn't you say?

Wednesday, January 5, 1921

Overcast wet nasty day with rain. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast. Helped father etc. To College 9 A.M. to 12:15 M. Down town. Bowled at Morse with Hanford. Home in Evening. Studied. Fred Lincks called. Visited. To bed 10:30 P.M. Thankful for friends, education.

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Couldn't determine who Lincks is, but there may be another opportunity later.

Tuesday, January 4, 1921

Overcast mild damp muggy day. Arose 7 A.M. Made toilet. Breakfast. To College 8 A.M. to 12:25 M. Dinner. Wrote in diary etc. Bowled at Morse with H.H. Bought razor blades etc. Home in evening. Studied, wrote etc. To bed 10 P.M. Thankful for health.

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So, vacation is over at last and it's back to school!

The safety razor was a fairly new invention in 1921, having been patented in January of 1920. I wonder if Stanford bought safety razor blades?

Below is a 1921 ad, for sale on Amazon.com, showing all the wondrous features of this new product:

Monday, January 3, 1921

Parkers Corners: Overcast mild damp day. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast. Orange, Cereal, Sausage Rolls, & Milk. Loaded up. To City with D.S.R. Home 10:30 [A.M.]. Changed clothes. Mopped floors at Corner House. Dinner. Read paper, helped father etc. Candled eggs. To bed 9:45 P.M.

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I guess he was pretty tired after the last night's activities!

Sunday, January 2, 1921


Beautiful bright warm day. Snow fastly melting. Arose 9:30 A.M. Cleaned up. Took bath. To Communion at Church. To S.S. Out to Reynolds in Kingsbury's Car. Chicken dinner. Helped change tires, separated milk, etc. Lunch. Played games and read. Stayed overnight. Kingsburys also. Talked etc. To bed 12 BELLS.

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I guess the Kingsburys and the Reynolds were also friends?

Stanford is now adding little illustrative drawings to every post. The one for this date is somewhat cryptic. I think the crosshatching is intended to convey games. The circular drawing is probably depicting changing tires. What he doesn't mention in the write-up is the kiss he apparently got (> <). There's a drawing of a bed, and then next to it the Greek initials Δ Σ Ρ, the equivalent of D.S.R. Curious . . . 

Saturday, January 1, 1921

HAIL 1921. Cool in A.M. and bright. Warmer and overcast at night with some rain. Arose 9 A.M. To Uncle Johns with Super Six. Ed & Leila there. Good dinner. Roast Pork, mashed potatoes, jelly, pickles, biscuits, pie, cake, New Years Cookies, punch, etc. Home. Bowled at Morse with H.H. [Hanford Hillman]. Ruth had party at house in evening. Mark Sawyer, Marion B., H.H., Eldyth Proper & I. Played games. Eats. Fine time. TO BED 1:30 A.M.

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That was quite a feast! I'm not sure who Eldyth Proper was, but there was such a person living in Schenectady, 18 years old in 1920, who was a neighbor of Merlin Finch. So she is probably the same Eldyth referred to here. According to city directories, Eldyth became a school teacher. In the ship's passenger lists for 1936, Eldyth was still living in Schenectady and still single, traveling to and from Europe. After that, she disappears from the record.